We have become increasingly aware of what we put into our bodies. Many of us choose organic food, read the ingredient lists on skincare products and filter our drinking water. Yet we often give far less thought to the quality of the air inside our homes or workplace where we spend most of our lives. Toxin free beeswax candles can replace an otherwise significant source of hormone disruptive chemicals.
Lighting a candle is part of everyday life for many. Candles create warmth, calm and a sense of presence. But the material it's is made from determines which substances are released into the air as it burns.
The endocrine system is a finely balanced network of glands. It regulates many of the body's essential functions, including metabolism, sleep, growth, fertility and mood.
Certain chemicals can interfere with this system. They do this by mimicking or disrupting the body's natural hormones. These are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and have become the subject of extensive scientific research over recent decades.
Exposure rarely comes from a single source. Rather, it is the cumulative effect of many everyday products that contributes to our overall chemical exposure.
The vast majority of candles are made from paraffin wax. A sludge material derived from the refining of crude oil.
Burning paraffin releases a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The amount depends on factors such as the quality of the candle, the wick, ventilation and how candles are burned. Among the compounds that may be present are well-known petrochemical substances like benzene, formaldehyde and toluene for instance.
Good ventilation can significantly reduce their concentration, but the choice of candle matters to.
Many scented candles contain complex fragrance formulations.
Manufacturers are not always required to disclose every individual ingredient. Fragrance blends are often protected as proprietary formulations. As a result, labels frequently list only "Fragrance" or "Parfum."
Some synthetic fragrance blends may contain phthalates, which are used to stabilise and extend the life of a fragrance. Several phthalates are now recognised as endocrine disruptors and have been restricted or phased out in a number of products within the EU. Others remain permitted depending on the specific substance and product category.
A candle made from 100% pure beeswax consists of a single natural material produced by honeybees.
It contains no petroleum-derived wax, and pure beeswax requires no synthetic fragrance fixatives or other chemical additives to function as a candle.
Beeswax has its own delicate natural aroma of honey and wax, created by the compounds that occur naturally within the wax itself. A scent, derived from honey and pollen embedded within the wax, is seen to have positive effect on our mood and nervous system. An exciting field of study investigates how scents can regulate our neurological state. And even enhance cognitive abilities.
Like all burning candles, beeswax produces combustion by-products. However, choosing a natural material free from petroleum-derived wax and synthetic fragrance reduces the number of potential chemical sources introduced into the home.
A healthy indoor environment is rarely created by one decision alone. Rather, it is the result of many small choices made over time.
The cleaning products we use, the paints we choose, our furniture, our textiles—and even the candles we light—all contribute to the environment in which we live.
For those who wish to reduce unnecessary chemical exposure in the home, candles made from pure, unbleached beeswax offer a simple and natural choice.